Name Leon Abbey | ||
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Died September 1975, Chicago, Illinois, United States Similar People Savoy Bearcats, Frank Fernand, Chic Chocolate, Sonny Boy Williamson I | ||
Leon Alexander Abbey (May 7, 1900 – September 1975) was an American jazz violinist and bandleader.
Career
Born Leon Alexander Abbey in Minneapolis, he started his career in 1920 as a classical violinist with the orchestra of J. Rosamond Johnson. Five years later, he recorded with Clara Smith on "If You Only Knowed" and "You Better Keep the Home Fires Burning". In 1926, he led the Savoy Bearcats and toured with the band the next year in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. For a decade, he toured throughout Europe and performed in India two times.
He led a band with blues singer Ethel Waters. In Chicago he led a trio until 1964. His sideman during his career included Fletcher Allen, Emile Christian, Bill Coleman, Peter DuConge, and Crickett Smith. He recorded Jazz and Hot Dance in Denmark (Harmony, 1938) an album as a leader, in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was also issued under the name Whoa Babe.